Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Last weekNuts.comasked, "Would I like to createa recipe using almonds or almond flour to promote the health benefits of one of my favorite on-the-go snacks?" Yes! How could I say no? I love almonds in a lot of things like desserts, salads, snacks, granolas, or just by themselves roasted or raw. They're just yummy. Turns out they are good for you too!I wanted to keep the recipe simple so I decided to use a shortbread crust highlighting almond flour as the main ingredient and using a mousse to cut down on time in the kitchen. The combination of slightly salty, crumbly crust paired with the sweet mousse is perfect. I kept the mocha flavor very mild to accommodate my husbands taste buds. (he likes the smell of coffee but not the taste) so if you like a chocolate mousse without a mocha flavor this is a good one for you as well. Crust:1-1/3 cups Almond Meal(flour)1 cup all purpose flour6 Tablespoons cane sugar½ teaspoon salt8 Tablespoons cold butterPlace all the dry ingredients into food processor. Pulse to mix. Cut butter into chunks and throw them in there with the dry. Mix well. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a large (10-12 inch) non-stick sprayed tart pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until it begins to brown. Remove and allow to cool completely.Mousse:1 cup mini milk chocolate chips5 Tablespoons butter4 egg yolks¼ cup powdered sugar2 Tablespoons coffee (Instant is fine)1 cup heavy cream, whipped1 teaspoon pure vanillaIn a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter. Stir until smooth and set aside.In a saucepan whisk egg yolks, sugar, and coffee. Cook and stir over low heat until it reaches approximately 160°. Stir in vanilla. Whisk in chocolate mixture. Set saucepan into cool water or ice and stir until mixture is cooled. Beat heavy cream and fold into chocolate mixture and spread evenly onto cooled crust. Refrigerate before serving.This is actually better if prepared a few days in advance so the flavors can merge.

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I have a few other recipes to choose from that I particularly enjoy along with the tart recipe above, so I'm sharing them with you here.